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Date: June 18, 2009
Contact: Gail Bishop, 850-934-2618
Contact: Nina Kelson, 850-934-2604

On this coming weekend, and two others this summer, Gulf Islands National Seashore will join with other National Park Service (NPS) sites around the country and offer fee-free entry into the park. The fee-free weekends were announced by Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar on June 2, and are intended to encourage Americans seeking affordable vacations to visit their national treasures. According to Secretary Salazar, “During these tough economic times, our national parks provide opportunities for affordable vacations for families.” Secretary Salazar noted that there are 391 NPS sites across the nation; and pointed out that over 200 of them never charge an entry fee. In addition, the 147 sites that do charge entrance fees will waive them on these special weekends. At Gulf Islands National Seashore, all entrance fees will be waived for visitors to the park on Saturday and Sunday during the weekends of June 20–21, July 18–19, and August 15–16. Entrance fees are currently collected at two of the park’s units: Fort Pickens and Perdido Key, and beginning Saturday, June 27th, fees will also be collected at the recently reopened Opal Beach, located within the Santa Rosa Unit. Visitors who wish to camp at Fort Pickens Campground, still with limited facilities, may do so by taking advantage of the temporarily reduced rates of $10 per night, or $5 for seniors. Park Superintendent Jerry Eubanks states, “We particularly encourage local residents who haven’t been to the national seashore in quite some time to take advantage of these opportunities to reconnect with all the recreational and educational opportunities the park has to offer.” Park entrance stations will have Senior and Annual Passes available for those who wish to purchase them. Superintendent Eubanks points out that faster moving lines makes this an excellent time to acquire annual passes for those visitors wanting to take advantage of what the park offers year-round. Visitors to the Fort Pickens and Santa Rosa units will note that facilities and services will continue to come on-line as storm restoration efforts continue in these areas. For a full description of the facilities and programs currently available, visit the park’s web site at www.nps.gov/guis or contact the Naval Live Oaks Visitor Center at 850-934-2600. -NPS-